Dear Constituents and Friends,

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your representative in the South Carolina House of Representatives for the last six years. I have been privileged to serve you and all the citizens of South Carolina and have learned a tremendous amount through this experience.  As you may know, I have decided not to run for re-election because of my desire to spend more time with my teenage children, my wife and my law practice.

 Mike Sottile, Mayor of Isle of Palms, has been elected as the Republican candidate to replace me, and he has no opposition in the general election in November.  I know he will do a great job.

I have truly enjoyed serving you in Columbia.   I worked to find balanced approaches to conserving our environment and growing our economy.  I supported measures to restructure our antiquated state government.  I sponsored legislation to promote better coordination among local governments in planning and developing public infrastructure, and to improve the governance structure of our school district.   I consistently voted for fiscal restraint in our state budget.  I tried my best to assist you with constituent issues and to respond to the needs of our city governments East of the  Cooper.   On the many different matters that came before the legislature, I always tried to become informed on the issue and to use my best judgment in casting my vote.

Thank you again for allowing me to serve you.  It has been a true privilege.  May God bless you and your family.

Ben

August 2008